Preview: SK Brann vs Hacken – prediction, team news, lineups KIK BALL

SK Brann will aim to qualify for the final stage of the Europa League qualifiers when they welcome Hacken on Thursday at Brann Stadion.

The Norwegian hosts won 2-0 against the Swedish visitors on August 7 in the first leg of the third round thanks to two goals from Saevar Atli Magnusson, and they are in a strong position from which to advance.

Match preview

Brann’s clean sheet against Hacken was their first in any competition in seven games, with the club having conceded eight in their prior four outings.

Bergens stolthet are third in the Norwegian top flight with 33 points after 17 matchweeks, and while they are nine points from first-placed Viking, they boast the advantage of two games in hand.

The hosts have not made it past the qualifying round of any UEFA tournament since their 2008 campaign, a period that saw them fail to qualify four times.

Brann boss Freyr Alexandersson has overseen two victories in his past two in charge, though his team have lost by at least three goals two times in their last nine fixtures, and were also defeated 2-0 on July 17 against KFUM Oslo.

Alexandersson’s side were beaten 4-1 by RB Salzburg in a Champions League qualifier on July 23 in their most recent home outing, but they managed to triumph in each of their previous four games at Brann Stadion, scoring on 12 occasions.

Having failed to find the back of the net against Degerfors on August 10, Hacken have not scored for two consecutive matches.

The visitors head to Brann Stadion needing to win by at least two clear goals, something they have not managed without going to extra time in their last eight games.

Head coach Jens Gustafsson has in fact only guided his side to one win in their past eight fixtures, a period in which they conceded 14 times.

Getingarna are winless in three games – losing twice – and were beaten in two and held to two draws in their previous five, and their poor displays have contributed to their placement of 10th in the Allsvenskan.

Hacken have lost two and drawn one of their three most recent away trips, scoring no goals in those clashes.

SK Brann Europa League form:

SK Brann form (all competitions):

Hacken Europa League form:

Hacken form (all competitions):

Team News

Brann left-back Jonas Torsvik has been ruled out, meaning Joachim Soltvedt will be the leading candidate to play on Thursday.

Niklas Jensen Wassberg is also injured, and while his absence will weaken his team’s midfield, Felix Horn Myhre, Jacob Lungi Sorensen and Emil Kornvig are available.

In the forward line, wingers Ulrik Mathisen and Eggert Aron Gudmundsson may play alongside striker Magnusson.

As for Hacken, centre-backs Marius Lode and Olle Samuelsson can be expected to start given Johan Hammar is dealing with an Achilles issue.

Centre-forward Isak Brusberg may be flanked by Adrian Svanback and Amor Layouni, while midfielders Samuel Leach Holm and Silas Andersen could support number 10 Simon Gustafson.

SK Brann possible starting lineup:

Dyngeland; Pedersen, Helland, Larsen, Soltvedt; Myhre, Sorensen, Kornvig; Mathisen, Magnusson, Gudmundsson

Hacken possible starting lineup:

Berisha; Lindberg, Lode, Samuelsson, Lundqvist; Andersen, Holm; Svanback, Gustafson, Layouni; Brusberg

We say: SK Brann 2-1 Hacken (Brann win 4-1 on aggregate)

Brann must be seen as clear favourites considering their two-goal advantage, and they have no need to take risks on Thursday.

Hacken could face chances during counter-attacks against their hosts, and considering they are in poor form, it would be surprising if they mounted a comeback.

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